June 8, 2009

Nevada Senator Harry Reid today discussed the importance of the more than $25 million in additional unemployment insurance funding that is on its way to Nevadans struggling with job loss.  The new money is part of the economic recovery package which Reid fought to pass in the Senate.  "That money will be spent.  That will stimulate the economy,"  said Reid.  "It will help retail businesses all over Nevada."

Studies have found that unemployment dollars are put back into the economy at a much higher rate than even tax cuts or other government spending.

These additional American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were approved for release by the Department of Labor on Friday.

“The economic recovery package we passed is designed to put people back to work as soon as possible, especially in Nevada where unemployment is at a record high,” Reid said.  “At the same time, we need to take care of the families being impacted by job loss by extending unemployment benefits to as many qualified people as possible. By bringing people with less work history into the fold, we are taking care of an important group of Nevadans and hopefully easing their burden while we work to get our state economy back on the right track.”

To learn more about the additional unemployment insurance funds available to Nevadans through the economic recovery package, click here.